Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-08-17
SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE.
RecOllectiOns of the Tragic Scenes Of
the Earlier Settlement OF
Northwest Iowa.
Erection OF a Memorial Tablet to the
Memory Of Old
Heroes.


Memory Of Old
Heroes.
One Of tho most notable gatherings that
ever took place in Northwest Iowa, occurred
at Webster City, Friday, August 18th, the
occasion being the erection and dedication
of beautiful historical tablet to the mem-
ory Of the brave men, who in 81 risked
their lives while attempting to aid the suf-
ferers in the terrible Indian massacre at
Spirit Lake. The streets OF the city were
thronged with people from the country and
adjoining counties, fully 1900 witnessing
the imposing ceremonies. Gov. Larrabee
was chosen president OF the day, be ng in.
troduced by Mayer L. A. McMurry. Ad-
dresses were made by ex- Gov. Carpenter,
NJ. Sweeney, Lieut.. Maxwell aud Chas.
Aldrich, Messrs. Duncombe, Richards, and
Laughlin, and q letter read from Mrs.
Gardner Sharp, the only survivor Of the
original settlement at Spirit Lake. The
letters and speeches were principally given
to recollections of the expedition and tho
actors therein, and when reduced 10 print
will form very interesting pages In history.
THE TABLET Is OF POLISHED BRASS,
Oblong in shape and richly and deeply en-
graved. At either aide is an upright panel in
which is received palm branch symbolical
Of victory. Extending across the upper part
panel on which is engraved in large letters,
''Roster Of Company G." Then follow the
names Of officers and privates, and below
these the following: This tablet was erect
patriotism, valor and sufferlngs Of these gal
liant men, in one OF the severest marches re-
corded in Indian border warfare. In mem ry
also Of Mrs. VIM. l. Church, who shot an In
dian while defending her babes, and Of her
sister, Druscilla Swanger, who was severely
wounded" The tablet is received against
background Of gray Chauplain marble. The
memorial, which is very beautiful one, WAS
I designed and executed by New York artis'.
ACCOUNT OF THE MASSACRE
| II was in the autumn OF 1855 that six fam
| lilies from the earlier settled poi tions Of Iowa,
pushing far out toward the frontier, were At
iracted by the beauty OF that romantic lake
region, which to all appearances, was as yet
untrod by the foot u the white man. They
hastily put up their rude log cabins and with
pioneer courage and hopeful hearts prepared
| to pass the winter in their newly made homes.
Their nearest trading int was Fort Dodge,
eighty miles to the southeast. u he winter
which followed their settlement WAS one Of un-
usual severity, snow lying on the ~ round dur
ing the greater part Of it TO the depth OF from
| fifteen to twenty feot In the course OF the
winter 1t became necessary to make trip for
supplies to the eastern settlements, some Of
the party going ~ far 10 the east - Waterloo
These were tedious Journeys, for they had no
means Of conveyance except tho slow ox-cart
and as there had been more or less trouble
wi h tho Indians in older settlements the sb-
sence Of any Of their number Was always .
season Of uneasiness 10 those remaining. Az yet
they had eeen no Indians, however, and as
time slipped by their feeling Of security in
creased. The winter, though one of the hard
est, was happy one. On the morning Of
March Sth the family Of Mr Gardner, one
member of which, Abbie Gardner Sharp, still
survives to tell the pitiable story, rose earlier
than usual as IL was Mr. Gardner's purpose to
leave that day for Fort Dodge. Tley hsd
just seated themselves at the breakfast table
when sionx Indian appeared at the door. and
with signs of friendship asked for food.
Cheerfuliy place was given him at the table.
Before the meal was ended one Indian after
another, led by Iokpaduta, enter until they
numbered fourteen warriors with their squawe
and pappooses, and all with manifestations Of
friendship, asked for aud were given the best
that the scanty stores afforded, the mother
and daughters fastening to wait upon them.
After their hearty meal was maae they grew
sullen, demand ng other things, and pr sently
they began to snatch fire arms an ammuni-
/ ton While this was going forward two
neighbor men came in and the family commu
nicated to them their bell that a violent At
tack was intended. Tho neighbors though
that tn eIndians were In pet and that II vel
treated, all would be we'll Soon after thu
neighbors had returne1 to their homes tht
lndisns likewise took their departure aud th'
family breathed more freely. OF course thu
father gave up his intended journey. Abou
oco k the family heard the report OF gum
, from their neighbors caDlns and they knew
ability they were omed to die. Earlier il
the afternoon Mr.. Luce, son-in-law Of Mr.
Gardner, whose family lived in the same cab
. in had gone out to see how it Jared with tn
ne q bors. Hs wife had taken . fearful leav
Of him knowing that he was likely going &
his death as indee d he was.
As his absence continued ard the guns wer
. heard, suspense became unindurable AM
alb ut sunset Mr.. Gardner went ont to recon
. noiter. The glorious landscape in its dres
, of snow glittered beneath the brilliant ray
OF the setting sun OK boll viii signihc
in solitary splendor. But even then the aw
full carnival Of blood had been begun and tn
next hour WAS to see it continued beneath th
Gardner roof. TIE father came and ~
nounced that nine Indians were coming IN
that they were all doomed to die He pro
posed 10 fight them heroically to tbs bite
end, but the mother etill hoping for mercy
said, III we have to die let ms d innocent Q
bloods he'd"
Entering the cabin again with signs q
frieIdsh p they asked Tor -four. Without
word Mr. Gardner turned to get 1t for then
when they shot him through the heart and b
died without struggle All OF the rest OF tn
household save Abbie, then IA years old, wer
then murdered in cold blood before her eye
and the poor gill beggei them to kill her alst
| ma H. Av&A h<
life All in that little community fell vict N
to the savage band except four y, men VII
were taken capiives They we're Mrs. Marbl.
Abbie Gardner, Mrs. Noble and Mia Thatche
After wards the latter two, after having sui
dered, Mrs. Marble and Abbie Gardner wer
both ransom cd by the state OF Minnesota for
\ large sum OF money, Mr.. Marble having mr.
90 sold to q more peaceful tribe who treste
her AZ princesa Miss Gardner was . csI
compelled to do the hardest drudgery, worl
ing with the sauaws They. had capture
great stores Of provisions and she cooked
great deal for them. Her making Of biscuit
y tn soda was looked upon as some,hin
= wonderful In fact they thought she vi
g afraid Of her, and would never cat anythir
|. until she first tasted it. Until two years ae
). j. was supposed that shs was the only su
a vivor Of what il known rs the spirit Lake
massacre, really tDe OkuOuJL 10 bus Ouu uSi
Mr.. Marble, was killed on Spirit Lake II hi
: been ascertained however, that MrA Marb
q still lives and il now the wife Of g. n III
:, baugh, of California.
Q IL was not ong afe or these heartrendir
events that the sad news reach. d Fort DodS
and Webst li ,, and the brave pioneer re
tiers hastened forth to check the despera
maraudcrs. Three companis . Of Thirty eac
g were very soon raised and on March Is h the
: set forth on what proved most perilous nj
a dcrtaking. The xpe lton WAS under tl
a command OF the corageou, MajO Willtams
= Fort Dodge, man tLen yer seventy, bl
who was brave ~ the brsvest The comp,
% nes were under the command, q above sta
: ed, Of John +. Iuncombe and Chaa. b R,cl
t ards Of F.rt Dodge. and J. G hnson
|. Webster CITY, the last OF whom, together vi,
r VIM, Burkholdsr, : brother Of 1rA Governs
i Carpenter, became separated from the 70
: on the return ma ch and both were frosen
, dcatn. Not until a August 1858 were the
bodies found and identified !, j the guns Nh q
y At their tide Among ths surviving 70